La tumba de Qin Shi Huang

Capítulo 21

I wanted him to know I was a grown woman. I'd been hesitant, unsure if I should do it, but his actions triggered my rebellious streak. I poured the powder from the small bottle into his coffee and stirred it with a small spoon. He heated up some milk for me, and I casually took it to the window to look at the view. His room faced the Wuli River and Fisherman's Wharf, boasting the advertised "super unbeatable river view," a truly expansive vista. My heart pounded as I thought about the medicine I bought at Fisherman's Wharf now coursing through his veins. I made small talk: "The neon lights at Fisherman's Wharf really need fixing. The crab and lobster claws never light up. Aren't you worried about that?"

He stood behind me, took the cup from my hand and placed it on the windowsill, saying, "So anxious, so anxious it's like the house is on fire." Then he bent down to kiss me, licking away the milk foam from my lips. I was so happy my head was spinning, vaguely thinking the drug was working, so fast? I kissed him back hard. A pornographic film began to play.

"You know what happened next, so I won't go into details." After saying that, I looked at him innocently and said, "I spent a total of eight hundred yuan. Why are you worth so much?"

He smiled and kissed me, saying, "Am I, a grown man, not worth eight hundred dollars?" Then he asked, "Who was that woman? You said you recognized her."

I said, "Oh, maybe I mistook her for someone else. Dressed like that, I'm probably mistaken. Who goes to a store that's as dark as a crow without dressing haphazardly?"

He said, "Then who do you think she resembles?"

I said, somewhat certain but also somewhat uncertain, "Like Montsir."

We looked at each other, speechless. Even though Wei Yiqing no longer watched movies or cared about gossip, he knew who Meng Xixi was. If, if that woman really was Meng Xixi, then this packet of high-concentration cocaine belonged to her. So Meng Xixi had this fetish? I was quite shocked.

This is not a good thing. For a big-name female celebrity like Meng Xixi to be addicted to this kind of thing—if this rumor gets out, it'll be a huge scandal. My little pig's belly couldn't possibly be a chemical plant, turning aphrodisiacs into cocaine. She must have mistakenly taken my little box when she was flustered and her hands were trembling, causing this mistake. I had the box on the sink, applying lipstick in front of the mirror, my eyes weren't on the sink, and she was so flustered, dropping the box and picking it up again—the mistake happened in her haste. Now that I think about it, her hands were shaking so badly, maybe not because she was afraid I'd recognize her, but because she was experiencing withdrawal? What will happen if she takes this packet of GHB?

I suddenly burst out laughing. Isn't that great? She can have a passionate Valentine's Day with her lover, and I can have a passionate Valentine's Day too. Valentine's Day is great; all lovers can become lovers. GHB is better than cocaine; even if she accidentally took some, it won't do any serious harm. However, I still feel lingering fear when I think about it. I immediately swore to Wei Yiqing that I would never do anything out of line again, that I would take good care of the pregnancy, and that I would give birth to the child safely. I also need to be able to get through this myself.

We stopped worrying about it. Wei Yiqing flushed the powder down the toilet and threw the potted plant in the trash. Since we knew what it was, there was no need to test it. I went to the hospital for regular checkups, and my mother and Wei Yiqing accompanied me. This period was the happiest time of my short life. When I was eight months old, my mother and Wei Yiqing were extremely anxious, watching me day and night, afraid that I would be unwell. Even a cough from me would make them nervous for half a day. They drove me to the brink of a nervous breakdown. My intimacy with Wei Yiqing had long since ended, and I felt that life was really boring. Only when I occasionally got together with Leng Qingqing and my sister Mingming did I find some joy in being alive.

Our three-person gatherings were always arranged after dinner. We'd find an open-air teahouse by the river, sit down, and chat for two or three hours. Around eight or nine o'clock, Wei Yiqing would come to pick me up. Because I had made so many mistakes, I felt incredibly guilty and didn't dare disobey, so I obediently said goodbye to them. After walking a while, I remembered I'd forgotten my bag, so I went back to get it. I saw a young man sitting between the two of them. The man had an exceptionally handsome face that looked vaguely familiar, but I didn't recognize him.

It's nothing, it's quite interesting.

Such a handsome man is a rare sight in everyday life, so I couldn't help but glance at him a few more times, then at Leng Qingqing. Leng Qingqing simply smiled, offering no introduction, and handed me the bag. The man looked at me, then turned away without a word. Even though I was bored, I felt awkward staring at such a handsome stranger, so I took the bag, said goodbye again, and left. After a few steps, my irrepressible curiosity compelled me to turn back, only to see a hint of tenderness on the man's face. And Mingjie, sitting beside him, was also looking at him with affectionate eyes.

Is he Mingjie's boyfriend? Doesn't seem like it; he's much younger than Mingjie. Is he Leng Qingqing's boyfriend? About 80% likely, but why does Mingjie look at him with such tenderness? A love triangle? Doesn't seem like it either. If it were a love triangle, would Mingjie and Qingqing be so close? I suddenly became curious about the relationship between these three.

Turning a corner past a flowerbed, I hid behind it and watched them. The three of them seemed to be getting along very well, not at all like people involved in a love triangle. Love triangles always involve jealousy, right? Or was Leng Qingqing simply unaware of Mingjie's feelings for her boyfriend? Or was I just incredibly bored and overthinking things, imagining things in a negative light? After thinking for a moment, I decided to admit that I was just imagining things.

Okay, I'll be a noble person and not be so gossipy. Just as I was about to leave, I suddenly heard a screeching sound of brakes right next to me. The sound startled me so much that I clenched my teeth and my heart pounded twice as fast. I couldn't help but turn my head to look, and there was a dark blue car parked right next to me, so close that it could touch my heels. The driver was facing me through the glass, looking at me as if he were seeing a grim reaper.

The car owner was a young woman wearing sunglasses and a silk scarf wrapped around her head, revealing only her beautiful face. She had a snow-white, heart-shaped face, bright red lips, and a pointed chin; though only half her face was visible, she was an absolute beauty. I thought she looked familiar, and she thought I looked familiar too, and then we both exclaimed in surprise. She recognized me, and I recognized her.

She got out of the car, slammed the door shut, and walked towards me with her fist clenched. I was terrified by her anger and didn't flinch or dodge, waiting for her to get close. Then she raised her right hand and slapped me across the face, leaving me stunned for a moment. She pointed at me and yelled, "You little brat, what did you buy that day?"

I stammered, "GHB." She stepped forward, grabbed my neck, and demanded sharply, "What is that?" I squeaked like a mouse, "Aphrodisiac...aphrodisiac." I was so ashamed I wanted to disappear. I didn't even have time to ask her who it was; she was just so angry, there must have been a mistake during its use. I said sincerely, "I...I'm sorry. I didn't mean to."

Her eyes seemed to be blazing fire through her glasses. She was so angry that her lips twitched, and she raised her hand to hit me. I covered my head and, like a dead duck, stubbornly said, "That thing of yours isn't any better. It almost got me into trouble. If you dare hit me again, I'll report you. Then we'll see what you say." In all my life, everyone I've met has been kind to me. This was the first time I'd encountered such a fierce woman, and I didn't know how to deal with her. All I could do was act like a schoolchild and say I'd report her to my parents and teachers.

I should have kept quiet. But saying those words somehow ignited her anger. She slapped me hard, sending me spinning halfway around, my stomach slamming into a flowerbed. I fell to the ground, speechless with pain. Still not appeased, she was about to take a step forward when someone grabbed her wrist. The person who grabbed her wrist was the handsome man who had been sitting with Sister Leng Qingming.

The man, with his back to me, grabbed the fierce woman. I heard her scream, a terrifying sound, as if she'd seen a ghost. She stammered, "Eh... eh..." She couldn't get a coherent answer. The man said in a deep voice, "Don't hit her. She's my sister." I was in so much pain I was sweating profusely, and I didn't have time to eavesdrop on their conversation. I tried to get up from the ground. I vaguely heard the man say, "Xixi, you're back?" The fierce woman softened, asking in a lifeless tone, "Eh, are you a human or a ghost?" She sounded like she was about to cry. The man whispered something in her ear, so softly I didn't hear it, and then I saw the woman break free from his grasp, flee for her life, get into the car, start it, and drive away.

Her car was parked right next to me. If I were alright, I could have avoided it, but I realized my water had broken, and warm water was flowing down my thighs. I was holding onto a stone from the flowerbed, unable to move an inch. Seeing that she couldn't swerve to avoid hitting me, the man suddenly jumped onto the hood of her car. The fierce woman screamed in terror, and with a sharp jerk, the car veered in another direction. Less than five meters later, it crashed into a fire hydrant, sending a jet of water shooting skyward. The force of the impact forced the fierce woman against the steering wheel, and the horn blared shrilly, repeatedly, startling everyone around.

Leng Qingqing rushed to my side first and immediately said, "Oh no, she's going into labor." She held my hand and calmly said, "It's okay, I'll take you to the hospital." At this moment, Wei Yiqing also ran over. Her face turned pale when she saw me and she said, "Xiao Ye, Xiao Ye, don't be afraid. Try to take deep breaths. I'm here, you'll be alright."

Seeing him put my mind at ease, I said, "I'm not afraid. I'll have a C-section. I want this baby." His eyes reddened, and he scooped me up in his arms, heading towards the car. Leng Qingqing said, "Ride in my car. My car is fast." Wei Yiqing nodded and followed Leng Qingqing into her silver sports car. I clung to Wei Yiqing's neck, breathing heavily, and said, "I'm sorry, Sister Qingqing, I got your car dirty."

Leng Qingqing hummed in response but didn't speak, her mind entirely on driving. After a while, she replied, "I'll see you off whether you live or die. We're sisters, it's fate." I didn't understand what she was saying, but I gritted my teeth and held back. I touched Wei Yiqing's face and said, "That woman, that woman, is the woman I told you about. That woman hates me, she hit me..." Wei Yiqing pressed his face against mine and said, "Xiao Ye, don't think about anything else. I need you to focus on breathing." His voice was tinged with a sob.

I obeyed and stopped thinking about anything else. I took a deep breath, my heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out of my chest. I pressed my hand to my chest, trying to calm my heartbeat, but it only got faster and faster, so fast I couldn't stand it. I couldn't breathe, I couldn't catch my breath, and finally I cried out, "Ah Yi, I don't want to die. What will you do if I die?" I only heard him cry once before I fainted.

My father, my mother, my love, my child. I love you, and you love me. What will you do without me? My soul seems to have left my body, floating in the air, watching my love hold me and weep. I can no longer feel any pain; I am both calm and terrified, not understanding what has happened. A beam of light in the sky, as if by magic, draws me towards it. I look longingly at my body and my love, and before I know it, my soul is about to ascend.

Just then, I saw the handsome man block my way and say, "Little sister, I'll take you home. Xixi and I are reunited. I'll make her pay back what she owes." Then he flicked his arm, and I floated down like a falling leaf, disappearing into the darkness.

When I regained consciousness, I felt sluggish and numb; my fingers felt numb, and touching my body felt like wearing rubber gloves. My body ached in stabbing and pulling pains, so much so that I groaned but couldn't utter a word. The last time I woke from my unconsciousness, I could still talk and joke, but this time all I could do was groan.

Hearing my voice, Mom and Wei Yiqing both leaned over to look at me. Seeing their joyful faces, I knew everything was alright. I smiled back and forced a smile, saying, "The sun is out on a summer night? Where is the sun?"

Mom burst into tears on the spot, but Wei Yiqing laughed until tears streamed down his face, saying, "I wasn't wrong, my little Ye is the bravest girl in the world." He handed me a baby wrapped up like a Russian nesting doll. I looked at it in confusion, pouted, and said, "So it's not an angel, it's just a kitten."

The kitten's nickname is Little Sun; we haven't decided on a formal name yet. Calling him Kui Sun seems a bit ridiculous, and they won't allow Xia Sun either—even Dad says it's not good. Dad and Mom are ecstatic, holding him even when he's not crying, spoiling him so much that he cries for no reason. What's worse, they won't even let me hold him; they've monopolized my child. Mom suddenly looks ten years younger, as if she gave birth to him. Dad, holding his grandson, acts like he's a father again. Their intelligence has regressed to toddlerhood; they use reduplicated words everywhere they speak: cup, bowl, blanket, bottle, grandma. This grandma refers to baby formula, not my parents' mother or my grandmother. And they speak with a Taiwanese accent, the endings of their sentences rising in a sickeningly sweet tone.

My body is in a terrible state now. There's a scar on my stomach from the C-section, and a scar on my chest from the heart transplant. I heard from Wei Yiqing that after the C-section and then the heart transplant, he was worried I wouldn't survive such major surgeries, but I was incredibly lucky, pulled back from the brink of death several times. He also said that this heart will function well inside me for decades. And I was incredibly lucky to have a healthy heart donor.

As I slowly recovered, I couldn't quite remember what had happened that day. My mother asked me why I had argued with someone, given my condition. She reminded me that a fierce woman had slapped me and pushed me, causing me to fall and go into premature labor. I couldn't recall arguing with her; I never argue with people. Then I remembered a handsome man appearing before me. He was truly beautiful, a feast for the eyes. I wondered just how handsome he was, and then I completely forgot about the fierce woman.

Once I could sit up and walk, I said to Wei Yiqing, "Let's get married. Although my body is like Edward Scissorhands' face, with scars all over, my heart—no, my thoughts—is just as pure and beautiful as his. No one in the world will love you more than me. It saves you so much trouble. I'll be the one to propose, and I'll be the one to ask you to marry me. You don't have to lift a finger, saving you so many cheesy lines."

He kissed me and said, "Can't you let me do it? At least I've proposed once before, so I still have some face left."

Then Leng Qingqing and Mingjie came to see me. Leng Qingqing gave me a large bouquet of lilies, and Mingjie gave me a silver coin from the Wanli period of the Ming Dynasty. It was quite valuable, and I declined repeatedly, thanking them profusely, but finally accepted it. They went to see the child and asked what his name was. I said, "We haven't chosen one yet. Why don't you help me think of one? The surname Wei is bad; it sounds eerie. I suggested Wei Taiyang (隗太阳), using yang to suppress yin, to put it down. But the formal name is Taiyang (太阳), which sounds ridiculous, and the sun is even a fake one."

Ming smiled and said, "Let's call him Yi, the Yi of meaning." Qingqing also said, "Let's call him Yi. It sounds like meandering, meandering and majestic, a boy's name, very imposing."

“Kuiyi, Kuiyi.” I read it twice and praised, “Good, it’s catchy, has a profound meaning, and is full of implications. Let’s use this character. Yi, the meaning of meaning, he is Yi and I am Si, the two of us are Xiaoyiyi, it’s very interesting, haha.”

They both laughed, and I remembered something, so I asked, "Who was that handsome guy I saw the other day? Was he sitting with you? I've never seen a guy as handsome as him before. He's so good-looking, it's a shame he's not a movie star. Oh dear, why am I like Chen Bulang and the others, trying to turn any pretty person, male or female, into a top-tier actress? How's the deal with Zhang Dahuzi asking Mingjie to make a movie? Did you agree, Mingjie...?"

(End of article)